For some color-challenged decorators, the plunge into new paint hues can seem like a dive into deep and treacherous waters. Color trend experts in Marni Jameson’s 2009 trend article today say purple passion is in, with “greyed-out violet, a plum purple and pansy purple” being favorites. But, often, choosing a strong color can be intimidating. So we did some research to find ways that allow consumers to test things out visually prior to actually lifting a paint brush.

The Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer (PCV) software is a color visualization program that allows you to experiment with wall treatments and learn how to pair interior and exterior color combinations. The program includes a library of photo dummy rooms to play with, including family rooms, kitchens and baths. But the best part is being able to upload a digital image of a room from your own home to create a new look. You just have to buy the software (download for $10 here) to be able to use your own images, while you can play with the sample rooms online for free. Similar programs are offered through Sherwin-Williams and Behr. The Behr “Color Smart” program allows users to upload an unlimited amount of their own photos to work from with a paid yearlong subscription of $4.95.

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Better Homes and Gardens offers a fun option called “Color This!” Decorating divas will love being able to choose colors – not just wall and ceiling treatments – but colors for everything from furniture fabric and flooring to window treatments and accessories. You can’t upload your own images, but the rooms you can work with online are plain enough for you to imagine how it might look in a similar room in your home. Both the Benjamin Moore and the BHG programs allow you to save your projects, print on a color printer, or e-mail to a friend.

Whether you are mulling over a real decorating dilemna or designing online for fun, the possibilities are endless and entertaining. These interactive programs allow you dip your toes in and test out the waters before making a big color splash.

Thanks for responding to my post Nate. I did several searches online to see if I could find similar sites where consumers can experiment with color, but “Chameleon Power” never came up. I appreciate you letting us know about it though, and I can’t wait to try it out.